Lakers head coach Byron Scott finds himsel in a similar situation to the one he experience before as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lakers take on Caves Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on ABC. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
A little less than two weeks remain in the Lakers’ 2014-15 season, and they still are making changes to their fledgling roster.
Lakers coach Byron Scott said they are nearing a deal with an unnamed player from the Development League amid season-ending and long-term injuries. That includes Kobe Bryant (right shoulder), Steve Nash (back), Julius Randle (right leg), Xavier Henry (left Achilles tendon), Ronnie Price (right elbow), Nick Young (left knee) and Wayne Ellington (right shoulder). Because of that, the Lakers asked the NBA for a hardship exception. That tool gives the Lakers’ flexibility to increase their roster size to 16 since four players are out with injury.
Assuming the Lakers sign the player, Scott said there is a “possibility” he will suit up when the Lakers (20-54) host the Portland Trail Blazers (48-26) on Friday at Staples Center. But Scott said it seems more likely the player will first play in Sunday’s designated home game against the Clippers at Staples Center so he can practice in five-on-five drills on Saturday.
The Lakers also signed guard Jabari Brown this week for the rest of the season and a non-guaranteed contract for the 2015-16 season after playing through a pair of 10-day contracts via a hardship exception. The Brown signing coincided with the Lakers waiving the retired Nash to keep the roster at the league-maximum 15 players.
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